From the Principal

Father’s Day 2021

In my regular local neighbourhood walks and rides during lockdown, I’m noticing so many more fathers exercising and at play with their children. Many are on bikes, other dads are kicking balls or throwing baskets to the next family ‘legend’. Some are walking the dog together, or fixing or making things, while others are scootering along and chatting away.

Never before has the role of father been more obvious or more important. Fathers can play a powerful role in guiding their children through these uncertain times – reassuring them, coaching them, conversing, playing, and taking on ‘teacher’ roles, even contributing the occasional ‘Dad Joke’. It’s actually joyful to watch. I’m presuming more goes on inside…cooking together, reading stories, playing chess and jigsaws. It’s the upside of a pandemic that is responsible for so much downside. 

It also reminds me of those famous words by Jackie Kennedy: “If you bungle raising your children, I don’t think whatever else you do matters very much”. 

As a College community modelled on Mary within the Holy Family, we recognise the significant role fathers play in the all-round formation of daughters (and sons).  

Daughters need to be able to look to their fathers for many reasons:

• Being a corner-post of family values and virtues
• Treasuring and nurturing good relationships
• Demonstrating respect and inclusion in every conversation or discussion
• Modelling how to talk to girls and women without being sexist
• Setting high expectations in manners, behaviour and getting involved
• Displaying fairness, support, love and a reassuring presence.

My husband tells the boyhood story of his own father’s presence while growing up in the bush. Every morning, before chasing the cows up for milking, he and his sisters and brothers had to pick up a small stick to tap the cows on their way to the milking shed. One frosty morning, his father asked each of them to hand over their eucalypt sticks. He promptly snapped each stick in half over his knee. My husband and each of his brothers and sisters were a bit taken aback with surprise.

Their father then asked them to pick up their broken sticks and tie them in a bundle to represent the family. This time it was impossible for him to break the sticks as a bundle. He was teaching them togetherness, family support, loyalty and sticking up for each other. Try it!  As Aristotle once said: “The whole is always greater than the sum of its parts”.   In today’s human world, it means the effect is often better when we combine as a team rather than riding solo.

I’m sure Joseph played the same type of role as an ordinary dad in the Holy Family.

Teenage girls benefit markedly by having a loving, caring father in their lives. Research tells us that learning, perspective, good judgement, balance and interpersonal skills are heightened when a good dad is on the scene playing his vital role. 

Dads…

At 4 years … “Dad can do everything”

At 7 years…  “Dad knows a lot”

At 12 yrs…   “Dad doesn’t know much”

At 14 yrs…   “He wouldn’t have any idea”

At 17 …       “Dad! He’s so NOT cool”

At 21…        “Well, he seems to know a lot about most things”

At 25 …       “I wonder what Dad has to say”

At 30 …       “First, I’ll ask Dad”

At 50 …       “My father knew literally everything”

At 60…        “I wish I could discuss this with Dad”.

So, let’s celebrate Father’s Day this Sunday as best we can…making sure that dad, grandfather or father figure knows their importance and feels appreciated for their love, support and gentle care.